Welcome to the Irish Culture & Customs newsletter which is published every fortnight or so and sent out to going on 4400 readers all over the world. You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for it - God Bless you! If you'd like to read past issues, they are archived at:
http://www.ymlpr.com/pubarchive.php?Herself
If, for any reason, you wish to unsubscribe, instructions are at the very end - but we do hope you'll stay with us. And if you need to update your info' or change your email address, you can do that at the end, too.
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Greetings and Blessings to all,
The warmest of welcomes to everyone and a special hello to our newest readers. Thanks for becoming subscribers and if you enjoy our musings and meanderings, please feel free to pass them along to your family and friends.
Pinch punch first day of the month, white rabbit! It's hard to believe that tomorrow begins the countdown to St. Patrick's Day. We know February's a short month. but it feels like it came and went in the blink of an eye.
So, ladies, it's Leap Year Day and supposedly the one time it's considered proper for a woman to pop the question. How about this fine old Irish proposal - "would ye like to hang your washing next to mine?" And if you don't think that's romantic enough, there's always the classic "Would you like to be buried with my people." Ah... nothing quite like an Irish proposal! And gentleman, if you refuse, in the old Celtic tradition, you should soften the blow by providing a kiss.
Onwards. Did you remember that this Sunday is Mothering Sunday in Ireland, the UK and Nigeria where it's always celebrated on the 4th Sunday in Lent? We were curious about other countries and it was fascinating to learn that it's observed on many different dates throughout the world. A good source for information on when and where can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day:
In any event, for all the many mams, mammys, mums who celebrate this Sunday:
Happy Mother's Day!
Irish: Lá an Mháthair faoi shona dhuit
Pronunciation: law ay-leh on waw-hirr fwee hun-ah gwitch
And if your dear mother is no longer with you, the traditional phrase is:
Ar dheis De go raibh sí ~ May she sit at the right hand of God
The donations continue to trickle in and we are very thankful for every one of them. Many of you recognize that we can't send out a newsletter or maintain a web site without expenses and we truly appreciate your kindness and generosity. And while our official fund-raising campaign is over until 2009, we won't say no to a contribution at any time during the year. Details about where to send a gift are at the end.
The auction to win becoming a character in a mystery novel has gotten off to a very slow start. But you have until march 16th at midnight to send us your bid. It's an intriguing offer being made by Patricia Harrington who writes the Bridget O'Hern mystery novels and the idea is that she will call a character in her next book after the highest bidder for the name - be it your own or someone else's. If you'd like to check out Patricia's web site and learn more about her novels, please click
http://www.patriciaharrington.com
And please don't forget to check out the work of Nanette Mary, a prolific poet from Wexford who will give us a commission on any of her books. She's written nearly a dozen of them including Tales from the Emerald Isle. Please write to her publisher if you'd like to learn more about her work: Ron at:
rkisner5@sbcglobal.net
Enough of the blather...on with the update:
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ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND IRISH T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS & GIFTS are made with you in mind. I *rish Drinking T-shirts, St. Patrick's Day shirts or Proud to be Irish T Shirts. We have over 100 designs. We have designs for the whole family and all the relatives, too. Irish Dad T-Shirt, Irish Mom, Irish Grandpa, Grandma, and even t-shirts for the new Irish baby. We even have Saint Patrick's Day greeting cards.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
News
From the mailbag
Links
Quips, Quotes, Proverbs & Toasts
A Bit of the Wit
Joke of The Week
Did You Know
Know Your Writers
Riddle
The week That Is
Events
Leave 'em Laughing
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NEWS
What follows are news clips from around the counties and the world. Links for more news stories can be found on our web site here
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/01News/Home.html
And more county news can be found here:
http://www.emigrant.ie/summary.asp?iCategoryID=18
FROM AROUND THE COUNTIES
Antrim: New museum for Ballymena
An old market house in Ballymena which has been transformed into a museum opened its doors during the week. Known as The Braid after the local river, the museum was designed by Ralph Appelbaum. Among the works of art placed in the new facility are a stone relief work from Irish sculptor Stephen Burke and a fused glass interior wall installed by Sean Campbell from Fermanagh.
Armagh: A royal first for Armagh
For the first time the traditional distribution of Maundy money by Queen Elizabeth is to take place outside England and Wales, and this year the presentations will be held in Armagh. The number of people to whom the special purses are presented coincides with the age of the monarch, and this year eighty-two men and eighty-two women from all over Ireland have been selected. The recipients include those nominated by the four main Church leaders and are noted for their work for their church and community. The ceremony, organised by the Church of Ireland in Armagh, will take place on March 20.
Donegal: Cloghan Lodge fishery rights sold to businessmen
The Cloghan Lodge fishery in Glenfin has been purchased by a consortium of international businessmen who intend to turn it into an international fishing and hunting facility. Purchased for almost 9m, the fishery includes the salmon leap on the upper River Finn, some twenty-five thousand acres of shooting ground and one hundred square miles of waterways. For the past twenty-five years the Glenfin estate has been run by the Wilde family and John Wilde, who will run the estate for the consortium, will continue to live in Cloghan Lodge with his wife Martina and their three children.
Down: Free holidays for pensioners in Newcastle
A house in Newcastle that was originally built for a prospective bride whose wedding didn't take place has now become a holiday home for pensioners. Clare Lodge, built over a century ago, has been used as a private school and as a convent by the Sisters of St Louis. More than thirty years ago the order sold the house to the St Vincent de Paul Society who first made it available as a respite for pensioners during the height of the Troubles. The society has continued to provide free accommodation for older people to enjoy a few days' break at the seaside venue.
Dublin: Conservation order for Dartmouth Square
Dartmouth Square near Ranelagh has been granted a conservation order by the county council which will ensure its preservation, though it also means that owners of the Victorian houses in the square will be subject to restrictions on alterations. The square was bought three years ago by Athlone businessman Noel O'Gara who controversially had plans to turn it into a car park and who also opened a tile showroom on the two-acre site. The park was built by the Darley family in the 1880s and was the last formal square to be built in the city.
Galway: Sculpture found in a council yard
A piece of sculpture originally erected on the Quincentenary Bridge in Galway more than twenty years ago and subsequently removed and then mislaid, has turned up in a council storage yard. Eddie Delaney was commissioned to create the six-metre work of art, made from stainless steel, to mark the opening of the bridge across the Corrib and it was duly installed. However when it was damaged in high winds and subsequently removed from its bridge location, it went missing. It now appears that the sculpture is badly damaged and the City Council is to work with the artist's family on a replacement.
Kerry: Medal presented forty-five years on
A man who played on the Waterville team which won the South Kerry Championship in 1963 has just been presented with his winner's medal. Benny O'Sullivan moved to London shortly after playing in the match and it is only now that he has been presented with his medal. Benny, who returned to Kerry with his wife Alice last year, received his medal from Paddy Fogarty, the current chairman of Waterville GAA, and present on the night were some of his former team mates. These included Mick O'Dwyer, Micheál Courtney, Micheál Sheehan, Kevin Donnelly, Pat O'Connor, John Joe O'Shea and Batty Galvin.
Kilkenny: Sale of musician's house a sign of the times
It is a sign of the times that the house near Thomastown owned by a member of the Clannad singing group has had a price drop of 100,000 since last November. Teach an Choill at Powerswood is owned by Pol Brennan, one of the original singers with the Donegal group Clannad and a brother of Enya. He has lived in the house, which stands on a five-acre site overlooking the River Nore, for the past twelve years and there is a second house in the grounds; the main house is a two hundred and fifty year old farmhouse. Pol, who has already won a BAFTA award for his compositions, is in line for an IFTA award for the score of the film "Kings".
Laois: World Fleadh to stay in Portlaoise
The future venue for the World Fleadh, held in Portlaoise last year, has been secured with the establishment of a limited company. The company, The World Fleadh Portlaoise Limited, is headed by Grellan Delaney, the chairman of Portlaoise Vintners, and Tommy Keane of the Heritage Hotel and they will work with a festival committee. Members include Ian McCormack, Louis Brennan, PJ Kavanagh, Vincent O'Brien, Jean O'Brien and Frances Roche. Appointed as Festival Director is Galwayman Eric Cunningham and the World Fleadh 2008 will take place in the town over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Laois: Many furrows ploughed in the county
For two consecutive weekends the champion ploughers have been out in the county, first last weekend at Derrgarron, Portlaoise, on the land of Tom and Mary Gowing; Tom is chairman of Laois Ploughing. Competitors came from Laois and seven neighbouring counties for the event. This coming weekend the action moves to Durrow, where the South Laois Ploughing Association is celebrating its thirteenth year with a match on the lands of Danny Delaney at Cullahill. This match also represents the last chance to qualify from the county for the All-Ireland Ploughing Contest.
Limerick: A first in tourism for Askeaton
Askeaton will next week become the first place in Ireland to have an official Aire de Service similar to those found on the Continent. The new facility, which is to be unveiled by the Cathaoirleach of the county council Kevin Sheahan, came from an idea of Anthony Sheehy, a local tour guide. The Aire de Service forms part of the Askeaton Pool and Leisure Centre development and is expected to lead to increased numbers of tourists coming on self-drive holidays, particularly those with motorhomes. The Aire de Service is located close to the Tourist Information Point at Askeaton Civic Trust House.
Longford: The mystery of the dark horse
The appearance of a black horse's head on the streets of Granard caused quite a stir and prompted a number of enquiries. The two-metre high black granite head appeared outside the newly refurbished garda station in Granard, and the answer to the mystery was eventually supplied by the Office of Public Works. It emerged that the new public sculpture is a Black Knight chess piece and signifies a number of aspects of the town. The first connection is with the Norman invasion, as Granard has the largest Norman motte in the country. The chess piece also notes the town's equestrian connection, with champion showjumper Eddie Macken and national hunt jockey Frank Berry both being Granard natives.
Meath: Last bang of the gavel for Michael
A business which opened in Oldcastle during Easter Week 1916 has closed for the last time. Michael Mullen's mother opened a drapery business which sold goods from the Ballinacree Mills but Michael's function at the Cogan Street premises has been as an auctioneer. His auction rooms have been a magnet for those taking part in the antiques restoration challenge posed by an RTE programme. While the Oldcastle business is closing due to Michael's retirement, the family tradition will continue as his son Niall is also an auctioneer, working in Dublin.
Tyrone: Strabane's only bookshop has closed its doors
AdLib in Leeper's Brae, Strabane's only independent bookshop, has closed. According to the shop's owners Billy and Philippa Patton, the closure is due mainly for health reasons, but they also say that they are unsure how long they could have continued in business given the fact that chain stores and supermarkets are also selling books. Before they closed the doors for the last time Billy and Philippa held a closing down sale which not only provided many bargains for loyal customers, but also gave them an opportunity to thank the couple for their service over the past three years.
Wicklow: Dervla pulls the plug on her family for Lent
A Newtownmountkennedy woman has decided to combine a Lenten sacrifice with a warning to her husband and three children as to what life will be like when we have used up all the planet's resources. Dervla Callan has vetoed the use of electricity over the next six weeks, with all cooking done on a range and reading and homework carried out by candlelight. Husband Denis and children Darah, Con and Shona, are not so happy with the move, as it has also meant no television or computer games, nor are they able to have hot showers or enjoy the benefits of central heating.
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep your newsletter coming - visit our good friends at Lollysmith:
The countdown to St. Patrick's Day has begun in earnest and we're stocked up on everything you'll need to show off your Irish pride at parties and parades: Guinness gear, walking sticks, tie-tacs, lapel pins and more. Come explore:
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FROM THE MAILBAG
Michelle Patrick asked about the history and importance of Irish blessings. Cindy Thomson responded in part: I would say that trying to find the origin of many things in Ireland is not likely. I did find that many of the "Irish sayings" actually came from the Bible, particularly the book of Proverbs. The Irish, with their history of oral storytelling, loved little bits of wisdom, so these were passed down from ancient times and when and where they actually came from can't be determined with certainty. Blessings were spoken in every aspect of life: from the birth of a new baby to the rising of the sun. Because the Irish did not see the spiritual separated from the secular, everything carried a blessing, or perhaps a curse. In view of that, the Irish blessings could be seen as a natural outpouring from a highly spiritual people.
http://www.cindyswriting.com/
And Veronica Cressey wrote: In response to Michelle's question about Irish Blessings----If she contacts an Irish Story tellerby the name of Tony Cuckson, I have a feeling he will be able to help her out. He can be contacted via email on this address Tony@irishbllessingsmatter.com
In the debate about Pancake Day as opposed to Pancake Tuesday, Michael Murphy writes;I was interested in the information on Shrove Tuesday. When I was growing up in Ireland,in the Midlands, we always called it "Pancake Tuesday" although lots of people called it "Shrove Tuesday." I have to agree with your Meath contributor that "Pancake Day" was rarely if ever used. At school we learned the Irish version which was "Mairt na hInide" (or, "Mairt Inide"). "Inid" is an Irish (very few people in Ireland refer to the Irish language as "Gaelic") approximation of "Shrove." We were invariably assigned an essay to write, in Irish, on how we spent the day. The trouble was, nothing more festive occurred than eating pancakes -- which we did, with enthusiasm! How I wish now I'd kept a few of those essays!
Slainte agus slan! Go neiri an tadh libh!
Anne O'Leary says: am not that old but always remembered it called Shrove Tuesday.
Lee- Ann writes: Can you please refer me to the verse about the women of Ireland being quick of temper and quick to love (I believe). I know I have seen it, but am having trouble finding it.
Many Thanks,
a former Mullins of your diaspora
Paul writes: I smiled to read your story of Fr. Hartigan and his stories "Around the Boree Log". I came from across the river from Lisseycasey but now live in Australia. Fr. Hartigan told the story himself of his trip to Ireland and his "return" to Lisseycasey, as some called it. On arrival he enquired if any there remembered or knew of his family who had emigrated to Australia. Some people said there was an old man lived up the hill who might remember his father, so he went there. "My name is Father Hartigan" he said, "and my father came from here. Would you remember him?". The old man took the dudeen from his mouth and eyed him carefully for a few minutes then replied very slowly "Indeed I do" he said "Tell me, did that fella ever marry?". Fair deuce to him, he thought this was the funniest thing he ever heard!
Beth writes: Is there anywhere in the United States that carries Irish Aran 4-oz-or-better, not dyed, natural wool for knitting? Even the unwashed, oily wool would be great, but I can't find a yarn shop that carries anything heavier than 3-1/2 oz hanks, and that just won't do. HELP !
ED. NOTE: Did you write to us and we haven't responded? Please be patient - we're way behind in answering our messages. It could be worse - Maeve Binchy has unanswered letters that go back six months or more. (If you wrote to us longer ago than that, please write again - your letter may have been lost.
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LINKS
A Mother's Love is a Blessing
A Foster & Allen video with someone's mother singing the lovely old song. Bridget got all teary-eyed as the lovely lady singing looked a little bit like Lena like her own dear Mum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BZ73hYIJj8
Happy Quadruplets
Daddy becomes a stand-up comedian and the reaction is priceless. We'd love to see what he is doing - but from the sounds, we can pretty much figure it out!
http://www.catholic.org/video/?v=64
Make St. Patrick's Day a national holiday in the USA
Proposition 3-17 is actually a fun marketing campaign created by Guinness in the hopes of securing a million or more signatures before midnight on march 16th. We know the US government doesn't accept on-line petitions, but you can also sign up at Irish pubs and restaurants. For more info', please click
http://www.proposition317.com/index.html
Were You There - The Latest from the Irish Page
The English and Irish versions of the popular Lenten season hymn:
http://www.irishpage.com/songs/wereyou.htm
Historic Pubs of Dublin on PBS
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt takes viewers on an exciting and visually stunning tour of Dublin's most notable historic pubs, as well as the many places of interest that surround them, including Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Guinness Brewery. If you live in the US, click here to find out when the progamme will air in your location:
http://www.pbs.org/
Moving Sale
Big changes are in the works ! After five years of managing his photography business and retail studio location in Dayton, Ohio, with lots of painful lessons learned, Jim is moving onward. The Jim Crotty family is moving to Texas! And he can't take a slew of gorgeous prints with him. Check out his web site for details on what's available:
http://ohiophoto.org/page5/whatsnew.html
Free Mammograms
Many women can't afford the test, but here's how you can help: Go to the Breast Cancer site and click on their free mammogram link; if the site gets enough clicks , they'll be able to donate at least one free mammogram a day to underprivileged women. It takes just a minute and there's no cost involved:
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Free Pet Food!
Last but certainly not least - our ongoing gift to AG in California and all friends to animals, please click this link today and everyday. It only takes a second to feed an animal. Thanks!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites.woa
Free People Food!
It only takes a second to feed hungry people, too:
http://www.thehungersite.com
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep our newsletter coming - visit our friends at the Celtic Attic:
Our HUGE STOREWIDE SALE has been extended! We are completely revamping our inventory So we are getting rid of hundreds of products and adding new items. Sales pages are jammed packed and all items on the SALES PAGES are 75% the listed price. In addition, there is FREE Shipping on orders over $45.00 that have at least 1 sales item. Receive Free Shipping on all orders over $100.00 without any Sales item purchase. FREE GIFT with each and every order and a FREE COPY of the CELTIC ATTIC COOKBOOK with each order! So stock up for next Christmas or Shop early St. Patrick's, Easter, and Mum's Day . Order on line or by phone - and tell them Bridget & Russ said hello!
Order by phone: Tel: 360-765-0186
Order on line:
http://celticcallings.com/shopping/merchant.mvc?CSC&Affiliate=Bridget
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QUIPS, QUOTES, PROVERBS & TOASTS
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A BIT OF THE WIT
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to squabble over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. "If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'" Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, "Ryan, you be Jesus!"
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JOKE OF THE WEEK
Excerpted from an Irish mother's letter to her son:
Dear Son,
Your Father has a lovely new job with 700 men under him - he cuts grass at the cemetery. There was a washing machine at the new house, but it's not working too good. Last week I put in 12 shirts, pulled the chain and I haven't seen them since.
Your Uncle Mick drowned last week in a vat of Whiskey. His mates tried to save him, but he fought them off bravely. He was cremated and it took four days to put the fire out.
I saw the doctor last week and your father went with me. The doctor put a glass tube in my mouth and told me not to talk for five minutes. Your Father wanted to buy it from him.
It only rained twice this week, first for four days the second for three days.
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DID YOU KNOW
1."he angels' share," is a term used to describe the amount of Irish whiskey that evaporates daily while aging in the casks?
2. Ireland's oldest mother was a Mrs. Mary Higgins of Cork City? She was born on 7 January 1876 and gave birth to a baby girl on St. Patrick's Day 1931 when aged 55 years and 69 days. *
3. In August 1931, over the space of a week, Miss Anne Clarke of Raphoe, Co. Donegal, single-handedly mowed, tied and stacked an acre of six-foot high oats - at the age of ninety?
*Excerpted fromThe Mercier Book Of Irish Records by Padraic O'Farrell
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KNOW YOUR IRISH WRITERS
To begin with, the answers to our last quiz:
1. At the Front Door of the Atlantic by John Kerrigan
2. Poetry in Modern Ireland by Austin Clarke
3. Nothing Happens in Carmincross by Benedict Kiely
A tip of the hat to our latest literary sleuths:
Christine Seaholtz
Christine didn't nominate a site so we took the liberty of looking for one we thought she might enjoy - you, too! The County Kildare is breath-takingly beautiful. Find out more here:
http://kildare.ie/tourism/
Hartson Dowd
Favourite Irish Site Yours - I have been spending the week printing out and adding your pages to my books to save for eternity and my pleasure in your work.
ED. NOTE: Aw shucks, Hartson, you're making us blush. Thank you!
Helen Dowd
Thanks for visiting my site: http://www.occupytillicome.com Please note the new "Read the Bible in a Year," and "Daily Bible Quiz," right on the front page. Just click on them and they will open up. Have fun!
ED. NOTE: We are thrilled to report that as of this writing, Helen is less than 100 votes away from moving into second place on the Top Christian sites. Please vote for her and help her achieve that goal - she really deserves it. Go raibh maith agat.
John C. Laney
John didn't nominate a site, so we found one we hope he will like - and you, too:
Irish Music at Laney College
http://pspanperalta.blogspot.com/2007/10/irish-music-at-laney.html
Patricia Edwards
While patricia also didn't nominate a site, we know that one of her most favourite places to visit is the Shrine at Walsingham - "England's Nazareth:
http://www.walsingham.org.uk/romancatholic/
Want to see your name and favorite web site in our next newsletter?
Who wrote:
1. Mothers & Sons
2. Mothers: Memories from Famous Daughters and Sons
3. Mother Ireland - A Memoir
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Latest results: There was NO winner of Wednesday's drawing. Saturday's jackpot will be in excess of 10 Million Euro - the highest of the year so far. It's always been our fantasy that one of our readers will scoop the big prize; but, as they say in Ireland, you can't win if you're not in. To buy a ticket for next Saturday's drawing, please click
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RIDDLE
First off, the answer to our last head banger:
In a marble hall white as milk
Lined with skin as soft as silk
Within a fountain crystal-clear
A golden apple doth appear.
No doors there are to this stronghold,
Yet thieves break in to steal its gold.
Q. What am I?
A. An Egg
As always our Riddle People didn't let us down. We had way more than a clutch of correct answers but cackling rights go to Tony Fleming from Montpelier, MD and "KH the archangel" whose answers arrived within seconds of each other. An honourable mention goes out to Maureen Smith of Great Falls, Montana who missed first place by about a minute! Fair play to all for the eggstraordinary effort.
And now for our next mind mangler:
Two mothers and two daughters go to a pet store and buy three cats. Each female gets her own cat. How is this possible?
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THE WEEKS THAT WERE
1. Article: Mothers Day in Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/MothersDay.html
2. Article: A Powerful Woman
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AWomen/PwrfulWoman.html
3. Article: Poems & Lyrics in Honour of Irish Mothers
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/MothersPoems.html
4. Article: The Rosary & All the Trimmings
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/Boreelog.html
5. Article: St. Ita, Foster Mother to the Saints of Ireland
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ASaints/Ita.html
6. Article: The Child of Prague
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACustom/InfantPrague.html
7. Article: A Taste of Ireland - The Potato
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/2Kitch/aPotato.html
8. Basic Irish: Mothering Sunday
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/3Focloir/Lessons8.html
9. Kids' Ireland - The Bewitched Kerry Cow
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/1Kids/1Home.html
10. CD Review: Our music reviewer William Ramoutar introduces us to Kate Rusby
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/AMusic/Ramoutar/KateRusby.html
11. The February Trivia Contest. Have you given it a go yet? All entries must be in by midnight TONIGHT whatever time zone you're in:
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/TriviaContest.html
12 Circle of Prayer The eighth Novena in this cycle began on February 27 and continues through March 6. Whatever your spiritual leanings, please keep the following in your prayers or meditations: Baby Brenna, Liam Nolan, Hartson Dowd, and little Isabella who turns out to be a very active toddler and not a baby as we reported last time. If you'd like to check on her progress and see new pictures, please click
http://www.carepages.com/ServeCarePage?cpn=IsabellaFrances&extrefid=tlcinvite
Also Randy, Donna and their children, Ergin, Josie and her family, Kathy, Celeste's husband Gene, Pauline Dewberry, George Reynolds, Mickey, Benjamin, and so many others especially our men and women in the military serving their country all over the world. Please God, they will all be home safe and sound soon.
http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/Blessings/CirclePrayer.html
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SPONSOR: Please help us keep this newsletter coming - visit Irish Incense!
Just in time for St. patrick's Day, we are very pleased to bring you a special offer we negotiated with the fine people at Irish Incense. If you long to experience the nostalgic aroma of an old-fashioned turf fire, here's your chance to purchase a turf incense burner at a huge 20% discount. Just visit the following URL and enter the Coupon Code ICC170308 in the space provided in the left-hand column.
http://www.irishincense.com/acatalog/index.html
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So that's the long and the short of it until we write again. f you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary or other important event between now and then, we hope it's an occasion filled with joy. Meanwhile, if you were married during the month of March or you're planning to tie the knot, here's your special verse:
If you wed when March winds blow, joy and sorrow both you'll know.
We'll take our leave with this lovely blessing:
As the plant to its seed
As the grass to the dew
As a babe to its mother
May God be near you.
And, as they say in Ireland, mind yourself.
Slan agus beannacht!
Bridget & Russ
Get down on your knees and thank God you're still on your feet!
Celtic Blessing - sung by the St. Coca's Choir, from Kilcock, Co. Kildare
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrS3kYW6du4
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ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS
Please check with the Wild Geese - they have a huge listing of events and we don't want to duplicate their efforts:
http://www.thewildgeese.com/
If we receive a unique event not mentioned there, we will be happy to list it here.
Dublin, Ireland - February 4th through March 1st
Miss Julie by August Strindberg, in a version by Frank McGuinness
Project Arts Centre & Space Upstairs
East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
For more details, please write to Layla O'Mara
layla@zoetrope.ie
Hollywood, Florida - March 2
IRISH-AMERICAN CEILI CLUB Annual Mass & Picnic@ TY Park-Hollywood. Pavilion 3 FREE to members; Guests @ $5. For more details, please click
http://www.irishamericanceiliclub.com
Buena Park California - March 2
Still some tickets left for the St. Patrick's Corned Beef Cabbage Dinner Dance 8651 Knott Avenue, Buena Park, CA (Cross Streets - Knott Ave. and Crescent St.) For "Will Call" Notify: Loretta Mullen at 714-557-8983
or email mullenlm@earthlink.net
Crescent Springs, Kentucky - March 7, 8, 9
The Irish American Theatre Company will perform A Little Like Paradise by Niall Williams. Originally performed in Dublin at the Abbey, this play depicts with hope and humor the regeneration of a small Western Irish town unknown to the European community and ignored by Dublin.
Curtain is at 7:30 P.M. each evening. Tickets on sale now: $15.00 each. Send a check with your ticket request (include a return address) to: Irish American Theater Company Attention; Maureen A. Kennedy 3308 Westside Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
Question? Write or call Maureen:
E-mail: IrishAmericanTheaterCo@fuse.net
Tel: 513-225-6915
(April performances are at Molly Malones on 4th street in Covington (on the 3rd Floor). Three shows in April, April 12th Saturday, at 2:00 P.M., and a second show on Saturday the 12th at 7:00 P.m., plus Sunday the 13th at 2:00 P.M., tickets available now.)
Lincoln Nebraska - March 14
Samrocks & Roses
Malley Whelan, Nebraska's celebrated irish tenor and Wilma Sundeen, Nebraska's celebrated Irish stylist present a program of Broadway hits, Sacred Songs, favorite Irish melodies and more. First United Methodiist Church, 2723 North 50 St. For complete details, please write to Malley at:
mkeelan@neb.rr.com
Costa Mesa, California - March 9
Cherish The Ladies- Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This is a continuation of their current tour which began in February. For complete details about all tour dates, please click
http://www.cherishtheladies.com/tourdatesframe.htm
Los Alamitos, California
Friends of Ireland of Southern California Monthly Breakfast. Events are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Please call in RSVP to one of the contacts below, one day in advance so we can accommodate you.
Barbara Walsh (714) 739-4195 Kathy Wisdom (714) 572-8277
Tom Kennedy (562) 425-2636 Jim O'Dea (626) 965-0307
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LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING
Actual Answers From Students On Music Exams
The principal singer of nineteenth century opera was called pre-Madonna.
Gregorian chant has no music, just singers singing the same lines.
Sherbet composed the Unfinished Symphony.
All female parts were sung by castrati. We don't know exactly what they sounded like because there are no known descendants.
Young scholars have expressed their rapture for the Bronze Lullaby, the Taco Bell Cannon, Beethoven's Erotica, Tchaikovsky Cracknutter Suite, and Gershwin's Rap City in Blue.
Music sung by two people at the same time is called a duel; if they sing without music it is called Acapulco.
A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals.
Contralto is a low sort of music that only ladies sing.
Probably the most marvelous fugue was the one between the Hatfields and the McCoys.
A harp is a nude piano.
Refrain means don't do it. A refrain in music is the part you'd better not try to sing.
I know what a sextet is but I'd rather not say.
My favorite composer was Opus. Agnus Dei was a woman composer famous for her church music.
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a great many musical compositions and had a large number of children. In between he practiced on an old spinster which he kept up in his attic.
Rock Monanoff was a famous post-romantic composer of piano concerti.
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